SURREY LIONS V ESSEX EAGLES at the Brit Oval (TSL1), 23 MAY 2004
Both of these sides have suffered at the hands of Glamorgan
in the opening weeks of the 2004 totesport League campaign, but perhaps
significantly, Essex managed to keep their cool against the Warwickshire Bears
whereas Surrey summarily failed. To add to the Lions' worries they will be
without a number of key players, including Adam Hollioake who appeared to strain
a hamstring as today's final day against Middlesex drew to a close.
Furthermore, efforts to obtain a work permit for India's Zaheer Khan, who is in
the UK on a holiday visa, have also been thwarted.
The home side must go into tomorrow's game with a plan for
how they are going to account for the Eagles skipper Andy Flower, who is
currently averaging fifty in one-day cricket even though he has not yet hit a
half-century. Aftab Habib and Will Jefferson are not to be under-estimated
either. With the ball the underrated trio of Napier, Kaneira and
Middlebrook have been the ones to produce the goods in limited-overs cricket so
far this summer. It is also good to see Ashley Cowan back after missing
the whole of last season.
Like the bookies I am in two minds on this one. The Oval outfit have won
their last five one-day meetings with Essex and have not lost to them at home
since June 1997. Surrey also seem to be turning the corner at long long
last, but injuries and Test calls must give the Eagles heart. Oh, blow it,
go on then, Lions win! Did I really just say that?!
Thankfully, Azhar Mahmood is in the squad tomorrow after missing Surrey's last
two matches due to a sore back, but as for those who are missing where does one
start? On the injury list - James Benning (groin), Adam Hollioake
(hamstring), Saqlain Mushtaq (knee) and Alex Tudor (back). On England duty
- Mark Butcher and Graham Thorpe.
W Jefferson, A Cook, G Napier, A Flower (capt), A Habib, J Foster (wk), J
Middlebrook, A Cowan, D Gough, Danish Kaneria and
S Brant.
14 Jun 2003 |
T20 |
Won By 44 Runs |
Imber Court |
8 Jun 2003 |
NL |
Won By 3 Wickets |
The Oval |
27 Apr 2003 |
NL |
Won By 15 Runs |
Chelmsford |
8 Sep 2002 |
NL |
Won By 2 Runs |
Chelmsford |
28 Jul 2002 |
NL |
Won By 73 Runs |
Guildford |
2 May 2002 |
B&H |
Lost By 4 Wickets |
Chelmsford |
5 May 2001 |
B&H |
Won By 6 Wickets |
The Oval |
23 Aug 2000 |
NL |
Lost By 23 Runs |
Colchester |
29 May 2000 |
NL |
No Result |
The Oval |
15 Apr 2000 |
B&H |
No Result |
Chelmsford |
14 Jun 1998 |
NL |
Lost By 26 Runs |
Chelmsford |
8 Jun 1997 |
NL |
Lost By 6 Wickets |
The Oval |
27 May 1997 |
B&H |
Won By 6 Wickets |
Chelmsford |
13 Aug 1996 |
NWT |
Lost By 4 Wickets |
The Oval |
30 Jun 1996 |
NL |
Lost By 27 Runs |
Southend |
9 Jul 1995 |
NL |
Lost By 61 Runs |
The Oval |
14 Aug 1994 |
NL |
Won By 6 Wickets |
Colchester |
16 May 1993 |
NL |
Won By 2 Wickets |
The Oval |
26 Apr 1992 |
NL |
Lost By 10 Wickets |
Chelmsford |
31 Jul 1991 |
NWT |
Won By 31 Runs |
The Oval |
26 May 1991 |
NL |
Won By 7 Wickets |
The Oval |
23 Apr 1991 |
B&H |
Lost By 53 Runs |
The Oval |
19 Aug 1990 |
NL |
No Result |
Chelmsford |
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